Athletes 20 Athletes Who Are Muslim

Have you ever wondered which of your favorite athletes are Muslim? Several famous boxers, NBA players, and football stars are Muslim. Some of these athletes were raised in the faith, while others converted later in life. Several famous basketball players fasted during the NBA season to observe Ramadan.

Who is the most famous athlete who is Muslim? Mike Tyson tops our list. Mike Tyson converted to Islam in the early 1990s while he was in prison for a rape conviction. Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. changed his name to Muhammad Ali in the 1960s after converting to Islam and joining the Nation of Islam. He later converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.

Larry Johnson converted to Islam and observed Ramadan during his NBA career. Kenneth Faried is a practicing Muslim. He says, "You think you have a plan, but God — well, I’m Muslim — Allah has a different plan.” Shaquille O'Neal was raised by a Baptist mother and Muslim stepfather. He has been identified as Muslim in several biographies, but he is quoted as saying, "I'm Muslim, I'm Jewish, I'm Buddhist, I'm everybody 'cause I'm a people person."

Do you think that the Muslim faith helps these pro athletes to succeed in their careers? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Photo: Keith Allison/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Shaquille O'Neal was raised by a Baptist mother and Muslim stepfather. He has been identified as Muslim in several biographies, but he is quoted as saying, "I'm Muslim, I'm Jewish, I'm Buddhist, I'm everybody 'cause I'm a people person."

Photo: Ira Rosenberg/Wikimedia Commons/no known copyright restrictions Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. changed his name to Muhammad Ali in the 1960s after converting to Islam and joining the Nation of Islam. He later converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.